Currently, most development applications in the Lismore area are assessed and approved by staff.
Only the more contentious DAs, flagged by councillors or the general manager, are discussed at council meetings.
Cr Adam Guise raised the motion to investigate forming a Planning Review Committee, saying it would give councillors more oversight on planning decisions and facilitate smoother development approval.
He said councillors would be involved earlier in the planning process, allowing them to assess all projects.
He also said this would help foster better relationships with the council planning staff.
However it would not take away from councillors' rights to call up projects they wanted to discuss and would not delay the approval process.